Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I assume I can post this here ?...

I was watching my tropical Aquarium today an I had a thought, Seeing as how some people are having algae issues what if I dropped a couple of decent sized eaters in there. About 6-7 inches long. So too big for fry to eat..
Would they be able to keep Algae down or is it too much of a job you think ?

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I must say that it is hard to understand, just what you are suggesting ..

But I have Silver Perch and Koi.. Koi eat algae.. but they don't waste time.on. algae, if there is real food available ..
But starve the fish until the Koi start eating.algae, and you will be sorry..
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There are full time algae eaters in tropical fish an its all they eat. I have read alot of stories here about ppl having algae issues.

I use them in my tropical tanks all time.
Considering how little i know bout aquaponics ...
Its a valid question.

Are you thinking of something like a Plecostomus? You might try searching on them in the forum and there is one other I've seen used but I can't think of the name at the moment. As long as your tank is warm enough I think they are worth a try. If it gets below 55 F then you'll probably lose the pleco.

Hi Andrew, good question.... As a novice myself I've wondered how people control the algae. I haven't read heaps of threads regarding algae problems (although I bet if I searched I'd find a few...) as most ppl seem to have pretty decent lids with shade cloth to keep debris and sun out....

I'm lucky in that my tank is located under a roof so very very little sun gets in there (pending on time of day and if sun is in right (wrong) position. The FT lid is a slated style so there's about an inch between each slat where the sun can get in there for 2mins or so when it's low in the sky. That said, after 12 months I see no evidence of algae really anywhere.

Im also of the opinion (maybe wrongly) that the fish we stock can be found from dams to streams and rivers so if nature deals with it then we should be able to as well.

I guess a big difference is the factors we have in AP vs nature - stocking density would be the biggest in my mind at least. If your fish tank ends up under your solid roof from the pics then I don't think you'll have anything to worry as far as algae goes

yer thanks mate. I did some research this morning an your right. Other trouble I have had with pleco is he would get eaten. They dont grow big enough to really have an impact in a 2000 lt tank. But the idea was sound. As you say, as its going to be under colorbond its probably irrelevant question for me in end.

55 F is only 12 Deg C. Perth can easily get below that in winter. But then again I was gonna put a heater in come winter to help regulate water temp for my fish. SO...


When I start stocking the tank with expensive Barra young I really dont want to have to deal with Algae as well

nah dude, i have goldfish which are constantly pecking at the sides of their tank, no matter how much i over feed them.

i wouldnt want to pay the power bill for heating a 2000L+ system with an aquarium heater.

Perhaps KOI, change their habits.. I added some to the perch tanks and whilst initially, they nibbled the algae, they soon learnt that they did not need to scavenge for algae..
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the other problem is none of these sorts of fish are ever going to keep a tank clean, just eat the excess stuff.

If no sun is hitting the water I assume the algae build up will be extremely slow or negligible?
But then indoor aquariums have algae problems? I don't know just posing the question as I've never kept one.

I know the little light that hits my small indoor AP needs regular cleaning but the outdoor system really doesn't seem to suffer.
I wouldn't worry about it for the time being?

My mate has some interesting ways to heat a small pool, some kind of matt that is filled with pipe, lays ok the ground in the sun and water is circulated through them. His 5000 L basic pool is around 32 degrees. Clearly overnight it won't help but hopefully you could heat the water towards the high end of what the barramundi will like and stop pumping over night on cold nights.

Might be a bit hard to control accurately but if it's under cover and not getting any frost and semi protected (or tank wrapped in insulation?) then it might go ok at heating it for lower cost

I saw a heater on BYAP shop I think it was. alot bigger than a aquarium heater.

byap online shop only have a 300w eheim, 600-1000l tank, just an aquarium one.

ahh ok, well I am going out there today as they Opened this morning for the year I think. So I have a bucket ton of questions ... will include that.